U.S. patent number 4,949,559 [Application Number 07/405,880] was granted by the patent office on 1990-08-21 for article lock.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Meyer Plastics, Inc.. Invention is credited to James A. Glines.
United States Patent |
4,949,559 |
Glines |
* August 21, 1990 |
Article lock
Abstract
A locking bolt is provided in a mount for receiving a gun barrel
or other article. The locking bolt can be cammed relative to the
mount from its normally locked position to an unlocked position to
permit release of the gun barrel from the mount. The locking bolt
is cammed to its unlocked position in response to direct engagement
with a key inserted into an interior region of the mount and
rotated relative to the mount. Thus, the mount is formed to include
a keyway configured to permit the key itself to impart motion to a
locking bolt to unlock the mount.
Inventors: |
Glines; James A. (Indianapolis,
IN) |
Assignee: |
Meyer Plastics, Inc.
(Indianapolis, IN)
|
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent
subsequent to November 21, 2006 has been disclaimed. |
Family
ID: |
26894388 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/405,880 |
Filed: |
September 11, 1989 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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199027 |
May 26, 1988 |
4881386 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
70/19; 211/64;
42/70.11; 70/277; 70/279.1; 70/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
7/14 (20130101); E05B 47/0002 (20130101); E05B
47/0603 (20130101); E05B 73/00 (20130101); E05B
47/0006 (20130101); E05C 3/04 (20130101); Y10T
70/7107 (20150401); Y10T 70/411 (20150401); Y10T
70/5009 (20150401); Y10T 70/7062 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
7/00 (20060101); B60R 7/14 (20060101); E05B
47/06 (20060101); E05B 73/00 (20060101); E05C
3/00 (20060101); E05C 3/04 (20060101); E05B
073/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/14,19,277-279,57,58
;211/4,64 ;248/551-553 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Advertisement, Law Enforcement Equipment Company, 1987-1988,
Catalog, p. 161, (e.g., Smith & Wesson Gun Locks and Fletcher
Key Gun Lock). .
Advertisement, Gall's Inc., Catalog No. 22, p. 26 (e.g., Vertical
Gun Lock #52-7110). .
Advertisement, SaSo 1987-1988, Catalog No. 189, p. 338 (e.g.,
Lektro Lok II Shotgun Holder 61B942)..
|
Primary Examiner: Smith; Gary L.
Assistant Examiner: Dino; Suzanne L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Barnes & Thornburg
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/199,027 filed May 26,
1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,386.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article lock comprising
means for receiving an article,
means for releasably retaining the article in the receiving means,
the retaining means being movable relative to the receiving means,
and
a single blocking means for blocking movement of the retaining
means relative to the receiving means to fix the retaining means in
a predetermined locking position locking the article in the
receiving means, the blocking means being movable by an actuating
means between a projected position engaging the retaining means and
a retracted position away from the retaining means, the receiving
means being formed to include means for introducing a key means to
the blocking means so that the key means is movable to act on the
blocking means independent of the actuating means to move the
blocking means to its retracted position, thereby permitting
movement of the retaining means relative to the receiving means to
release the article.
2. The article lock of claim 1, wherein the retaining means
includes a distal retainer arm acting to retain the article in the
receiving means upon movement of the retaining means to the
predetermined locking position and a proximal shoulder pivotably
connected to the receiving means to permit pivoting movement of the
retaining means relative to the receiving means.
3. The article lock of claim 2, wherein the blocking means includes
a bolt and the proximal shoulder of the retaining means is formed
to include an opening for receiving the bolt upon movement of the
blocking means to its projected position to limit relative movement
of the retaining means and the receiving means.
4. The article lock of claim 3, further comprising spring means for
yieldably biasing the bolt into engagement with the retaining means
in the bolt-receiving opening.
5. The article lock of claim 3, wherein the blocking means further
includes a cam follower attached to the bolt and situated in an
interior region of the receiving means to communicate with the
introducing means so that the cam follower is acted on by a portion
of the key means during rotation of the key means to move the
blocking means to its retracted position, thereby withdrawing the
bolt from the bolt-receiving opening to permit relative movement
between the distal retainer arm and the receiving means to release
the article.
6. The article lock of claim 1, wherein the receiving means is
formed to include passageway means for conducting the blocking
means between its projected and retracted positions along a path
through an interior region of the receiving means.
7. The article lock of claim 6, wherein the key means comprises a
key inserted into the introducing means and the receiving means is
formed to include a first opening interconnecting the introducing
means and the passageway means to permit a portion of the key to
extend into the passageway means in response to rotation of the key
in the introducing means to engage the blocking means in camming
relation and urge the blocking means toward its retracted position
in response to continued rotation of the key.
8. The article lock of claim 7, wherein the receiving means is
configured to provide a second opening of the passageway means
adjacent to the retaining means, the blocking means includes a bolt
extending through the passageway means to engage the retaining
means in the projected position of the blocking means and a cam
follower positioned in close proximity to the first opening in the
projected position of the blocking means so that the cam follower
is acted on by the portion of the key during rotation of the key in
the introducing means to disengage the bolt and the retaining
means, thereby permitting the retaining means to be moved away from
its predetermined locking position to release the article.
9. The article lock of claim 7, further comprising actuating means
for selectively moving the blocking means from its projected
position to its retracted position, the actuating means
communicating with the blocking means to permit the blocking means
to be moved to its retracted position under the control of a key
rotated in the introducing means to act on the blocking means
independent of operation of the actuating means to provide
mechanical override means for retracting the blocking means.
10. The article lock of claim 6, wherein the retaining means is
formed to include a slot, the receiving means is formed to provide
an opening of the passageway means in communication with the slot
upon movement of the retaining means to its predetermined locking
position, and the blocking means extends out of the passageway
means into the slot in its projected position to fix the retaining
means in its predetermined locking position.
11. The article lock of claim 10, wherein the retaining means is
pivotably connected to the receiving means, the retaining means
further includes a pivot-blocking wall defining a portion of the
slot, and the pivot-blocking wall is aligned to engage the blocking
means to limit pivoting movement of the retaining means relative to
the receiving means.
12. An apparatus comprising
means for holding an article, and
a single blocking means for selectively blocking release of the
article from the holding means, the blocking means being coupled to
the holding means for movement relative thereto, the holding means
being formed to include means for introducing a key to said single
means so that the key is movable relative to the holding means
independent of the actuating means to cam the blocking means to a
position permitting release of the article from the holding
means.
13. An apparatus comprising
means for receiving an article,
means for releasably retaining the article in the receiving means,
the retaining means being movable relative to the receiving
means,
a single blocking means for blocking movement of the retaining
means relative to the receiving means to fix the retaining means in
a predetermined locking position locking the article in the
receiving means, the blocking means being movable by an actuating
means between a projected position engaging the retaining means and
a retracted position away from the retaining means, and
an actuator movable in the receiving means to move the blocking
means independent of the actuating means relative to the receiving
means to its retracted position, thereby permitting movement of the
retaining means relative to the receiving means to release the
article.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining means includes
a distal retainer arm acting to retain the article in the receiving
means upon movement of the retaining means to the predetermined
locking position and a proximal shoulder pivotably connected to the
receiving means to permit pivoting movement of the retaining means
relative to the receiving means.
15. The article lock of claim 14, wherein the blocking means
includes a bolt and the proximal shoulder of the retaining means is
formed to include an opening for receiving the bolt upon movement
of the blocking means to its projected position to limit relative
movement of the retaining means and the receiving means.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising spring means for
yieldably biasing the bolt into engagement with the retaining means
in the bolt-receiving opening.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the blocking means further
includes a cam follower attached to the bolt and situated in an
interior region of the receiving means to communicate with the
introducing means so that the cam follower is acted on by a portion
of the actuator during rotation of the actuator to move the
blocking means to its retracted position, thereby withdrawing the
bolt from the bolt-receiving opening to permit relative movement
between the distal retainer arm and the receiving means to release
the article.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the receiving means is
formed to include passageway means for conducting the blocking
means between its projected and retracted positions along a path
through an interior region of the receiving means.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the actuator comprises a key
inserted into the introducing means and the receiving means is
formed to include a first opening interconnecting the introducing
means and the passageway means to permit a portion of the key to
extend into the passageway means in response to rotation of the key
in the introducing means to engage the blocking means in camming
relation and urge the blocking means toward its retracted position
in response to continued rotation of the key.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the receiving means is
configured to provide a second opening of the passageway means
adjacent to the retaining means, the blocking means includes a bolt
extending through the passageway means to engage the retaining
means in the projected position of the blocking means and a cam
follower positioned in close proximity to the first opening in the
projected position of the blocking means so that the cam follower
is acted on by the portion of the key during rotation of the key in
the introducing means to disengage the bolt and the retaining
means, thereby permitting the retaining means to be moved away from
its predetermined locking position to release the article.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising actuating means
for selectively moving the blocking means from its projected
position to its retracted position, the actuating means
communicating with the blocking means to permit the blocking means
to be moved to its retracted position under the control of a key
rotated in the introducing means to act on the blocking means
independent of operation of the actuating means to provide
mechanical override means for retracting the blocking means.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article lock, and particularly
to an assembly for releasably locking a gun or other article in a
secure position to prevent unauthorized access to the gun. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly for
releasing a gun or other article from a locked secure position
using either remote control or key-actuated means at the selection
of a user.
Law enforcement officers carry various types of shotguns, assault
rifles, and other weapons in their vehicles for use in carrying out
law enforcement duties. These weapons are typically holstered in a
gun mount fastened securely to an interior portion of the vehicle.
It is recognized that the need of officers to have ready access to
their holstered weapon in an emergency must be balanced against the
risk of permitting intruders to have unauthorized access to such
weapons.
One object of the present invention is to provide a locking bolt in
a mount for receiving a gun barrel or other article that is cammed
relative to the mount from its normally locked position to an
unlocked position to permit release of the gun barrel from the
mount in response to direct engagement with a moving key inserted
into an interior region of the mount. In essence, the mount is
configured to permit the key itself to impart motion to a locking
bolt free to move relative to the mount to permit a weapon or other
article to be released from the mount.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mountable
assembly configured to lock a weapon or other article in a secure
but accessible position and release on command such weapon from its
confined position using either remote control or key-actuated
means.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a locking bolt in
a mount for receiving a gun barrel or other article that is
retractable to unlock the mount using either a remotely controlled
actuator to provide an automatic gun barrel release system or a
bolt-engaging key operable without activating the remotely
controlled actuator to provide a mechanical override to the
automatic gun barrel release system.
According to the present invention, a lock is provided for securing
a weapon or other article in a secure position. The article lock
includes means for receiving an article and means for releasably
retaining the article in the receiving means. The retaining means
is movable relative to the receiving means. A single blocking means
for blocking movement of the retaining means relative to the
receiving means is included to fix the retaining means in a
predetermined locking position locking the article in the receiving
means.
The blocking means is movable between a projected position engaging
the retaining means and a retracted position away from the
retaining means. The receiving means is formed to include means for
introducing key means to the blocking means so that the key means
is movable to act on the blocking means to move the blocking means
to its retracted position, thereby permitting movement of the
retaining means relative to the receiving means to release the
article.
In preferred embodiments, the retaining means includes a distal
retainer arm and a proximal shoulder. The arm acts to retain the
article in the receiving means upon movement of the retaining means
to its predetermined position. The proximal shoulder is pivotably
connected to the receiving means to permit pivoting movement of the
retaining means relative to the receiving means.
The blocking means includes a bolt and the proximal shoulder of the
retaining means is formed to include a slot for receiving the bolt
upon movement of the blocking means to its projected position. The
retaining means further includes a pivot-blocking wall defining a
portion of the slot. The pivot-blocking wall is aligned to engage
the blocking means to limit pivoting movement of the retaining
means and the receiving means so that articles such as gun barrels
are securely retainable in the receiving means.
Spring means is also provided for yieldably biasing the bolt into
the bolt-receiving slot to engage the shoulder of the retainer arm.
Thus, the spring means normally causes the bolt to be moved to a
position locking the retainer arm to prevent release of an article
in the receiving means.
The blocking means further includes a cam follower attached to the
bolt and situated in an interior region of the receiving means to
communicate with the introducing means. The follower is thus
positioned to be acted on by a portion of the key means during
rotation of the key means to move the blocking means to its
retracted position. Essentially, rotation of a key introduced into
the receiving means of the present invention causes the key to act
as a cam in relation to the bolt and withdraw the bolt from the
bolt-receiving slot, thereby permitting relative movement between
the distal retainer arm and the receiving means to release the
article. In preferred embodiments, the key means comprises a key
inserted into the introducing means.
Actuating means is also provided for selectively moving the
blocking means from its projected position to its retracted
position. The actuating means communicates with the blocking means
to permit the blocking means to be moved to its retracted position
under the control of a key rotated in the introducing means to act
on the blocking means independent of operation of the actuating
means to provide mechanical override means for retracting the
blocking means upon malfunction of the actuating means.
One feature of the invention is the provision of means in the
receiving means for introducing a key to the blocking means so that
the key is movable in the introducing means to act on the blocking
means to move the blocking means to its retracted position.
Advantageously, such a configuration of the receiving means permits
an operator to use a key as a cam against the blocking means to
release an article such as a gun barrel from a trapped position in
the receiving means. It is thus unnecessary to install a separate
lock cylinder or core in the receiving means to control keyed
actuation of the blocking means. Cost and size of the
article-receiving means are thereby minimized.
A wide variety of bitted keys, including, but not limited to,
typical police handcuff keys, are well suited for insertion into
the introducing means of the present invention to unlock the
blocking means. One advantage realized by configuration of the
introducing means to admit a handcuff key to actuate the blocking
means is that such handcuff keys are easily distinguished from
other available keys by law enforcement officers. This is
especially desirable during an emergency situation when it becomes
necessary for those officers to use the key-actuated mechanical
override system to gain access to a secured weapon.
Another feature of the invention is the establishment of
communication between the blocking means and the actuating means
which permits the blocking means to be moved to its retracted
position under the control of a key rotated in the introducing
means independent of operation of the actuating means.
Illustratively, such communication is provided by including an
electromagnet in the actuating means and forming at least a portion
of the blocking means out of magnetic material.
Advantageously, such a feature enables an operator to select the
actuation mode best suited at the time it becomes necessary to gain
access to a secured weapon. For example, a single button situated
in a location known only to the operator can be used to activate
the actuating means. Alternatively, a key can be used as a
mechanical override to operate the lock mechanism upon, for
example, malfunction or loss of power of the actuating means.
Specifically, the key acts to cam the blocking means to a retracted
position without damaging the "coupling" existing between the
blocking means and the actuating means necessary to provide an
operable connection therebetween.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as
presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying
figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention showing a key operable to release a gun barrel
from a secured position;
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 1 taken along lines 2--2 showing the retainer arm in its
article-retainer position; and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2
illustrating the rotatability of a key inserted into a keyway
formed in the base to engage a foIIower on a locking bolt in
camming relation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Gun mounts are typically installed in vehicles driven by law
enforcement officers to provide officers with ready access to
shotguns and assault rifles in the vehicles during emergency
situations. A preferred embodiment of a gun mount in accordance
with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. It is
expected that this mount will be used in combination with a
conventional butt socket or other mounting bracket to support a gun
in a releasable locked secure position in a vehicle or elsewhere.
However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the mount of the present invention is well suited to receive, hold,
or lock many articles other than guns or weapons.
Referring to FIG. 1, an improved gun mount 10 is shown to include a
base 12 mounted on a foundation 14 and a retainer arm 16 pivotably
connected to base 12. Base 12 and retainer arm 16 cooperate to
define an aperture therebetween for receiving a gun barrel 18 or
the like upon movement of the retainer arm 16 to its closed
position as shown in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that base 12
can be configured to mount on a variety of foundations 14 such as
floors, overhead screens, and trunk lids to provide floor,
horizontal, and trunk mounts, respectively (not shown).
Advantageously, these mounting positions permit a gun to be mounted
either muzzle down, horizontally, or vertically in a vehicle. Gun
mount 10 is well-suited for use in each case.
Base 12 is formed to include an article-receiving channel 20 and a
separate annular groove 22 opening away from foundation 14, a
control chamber 24 opening toward foundation 14, and a
bolt-receiving passageway 26 interconnecting the control chamber 24
and the annular groove 22 as shown best in FIG. 2. Control chamber
24 is sized and configured to contain an actuator assembly 28
operable by remote control to unlock the gun mount 10 to permit
release of a gun barrel 18 retained in article-receiving channel
20. A cover plate 30 is connectable to base 12 to hold actuator
assembly 28 in control chamber 24.
Retainer arm 16 includes a proximal portion 32 rotatably mounted on
a hinge pin 34 and a distal portion 36. As shown best in FIG. 3,
hinge pin 34 is coupled at its opposite ends to upstandinq ears 38
of base 12 to extend across a valley provided by annular groove 22.
Retainer arm 16 is pivotable in the direction of phantom arrow 40
about a transverse axis defined by hinge pin 34 between a closed
article-retaining position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to an open
article-releasing position (not shown).
The distal portion 36 of retainer arm 16 is formed to include a
concave closure wall 42 for receiving a portion of gun barrel 18
upon movement of retainer arm 16 to its closed position as shown in
FIG. 2. In this way, the retainer arm 16 and base 12 can cooperate
to retain a gun barrel 18 or other article in the gun mount 10.
A locking pin 44 is reciprocable in passageway 26 to control
pivotability of retainer arm 16 relative to base 12. Locking pin 44
includes a bolt 46 slidably received in passageway 26 and a head 48
movable within control chamber 24. Head 48 includes a flat-faced
cam follower 50 for engaging a downwardly facing inner wall 52 to
limit upward movement of locking pin 44 relative to base 12. Inner
wall 52 defines one boundary of control chamber 24 as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
Bolt 46 is configured to engage a slot 54 formed in the proximal
portion 32 of retainer arm 16 to block pivoting movement of
retainer arm 16 in direction 40 upon movement of bolt 46 to its
projected position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Compression spring
means 56 acts between head 48 and actuator assembly 28 normally to
yieldably urge bolt 46 of locking pin 44 to its projected position,
thereby effectively preventing pivoting of retainer arm 16 to a
position permitting release of an article situated in channel 20 of
base 12.
In particular, proximal portion 32 includes a bolt-stopping wall 58
for engaging a top wall of bolt 46 and a pivot-blocking wall 60 for
engaging a side wall of bolt 46 as shown best in FIG. 2. Walls 58
and 60 cooperate to define the transverse slot or opening 54 formed
in the retainer arm 16. As shown best in FIG. 2, passageway 26 has
its upper opening facing slot 54 to permit engagement of bolt 46
and pivot-blocking wall 60.
Actuator assembly 28 is operable by remote control means to retract
locking pin 44 into control chamber 24, disengaging the proximal
portion 32 of the retainer arm 16. In the illustrated embodiment,
locking pin 44 is made of a magnetic material such as steel and a
fixed core 62 is energized by coil means (not shown) in assembly 28
to generate a magnetic field which applies a force sufficient to
move locking pin 44 in the direction of arrows 64 and in opposition
to compression sprinq means 56 to a retracted position (not shown).
It is expected that button means (not shown) mounted in a hidden
location within the vehicle is operable by a law enforcement
officer aware of such location to activate the actuator assembly 28
and withdraw locking pin 44 from pivot-blocking engagement with
retainer arm 16.
An easily operated mechanical override system is provided in gun
mount 10 to enable an officer to unlock the retainer arm 16 by
manually retracting locking pin 46 in the event that the hidden
button means is not accessible or the actuator assembly 28 is
disabled due to malfunction or loss of power. In particular, base
12 is formed to include a keyway 66 having an inlet opening in an
exterior wall 68 of base 12 and an outlet opening in inner wall 52
opposite to flat-faced cam follower 50 of locking pin head 48.
Keyway 66 is sized and configured to accept a bitted key 70 such as
a typical police handcuff key and to permit rotation of key 70
therein about its longitudinal axis. The outlet opening of keyway
66 is sized and configured so that the bit means 72 on the blade 74
of key 70 engages the follower 50 in camming relation upon rotation
of key 70 in keyway 66 to urge the locking pin 44 against
compression spring means 56 to its retracted position in response
to continued rotation of key 70.
Essentially, rotation of key 70 in keyway 66 causes bit means 72 to
rotate in the direction of arrow 76 to extend from keyway 66 into
control chamber 24 as shown in FIG. 3. Such movement of key 70
causes bit means 72 to act on the flat-faced cam follower 50 to, in
effect, disengage bolt 46 from retainer arm 16, thereby permitting
movement of retainer arm 16 to an article-releasing position
without operating or damaging actuator assembly 28. It will be
appreciated that compression spring means 56 is configured and
positioned underneath head 48 to stabilize locking pin 44 during
camming engagement with bit means 72 to minimize disruptive cocking
or rocking of bolt 46 in passageway 26 during use of the manually
operated mechanical override system.
The configuration of keyway 66 is well-suited for use with a
typical police handcuff key. Advantageously, such a key provides
adequate security and, at the same time, is easily accessible by a
law enforcement officer during an emergency. Moreover, by use of
such a simple cam system of the type employed in the present
invention, the need for specially bitted keys and for costly and
bulky lock components such as cylinders, cores, and tumbler pins
are eliminated to provide an efficient, economical mount for
locking guns or other articles.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference
to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist
within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *